AP Psychology Unit 3 Structures of the Nervous System

AP psychology

Peripheral nervous system

The portion of the nervous system that connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body (composed of nerves that instigate communication)

Somatic nervous system

a component of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary skeletal muscles (ex: allow us to grip a pencil)

Autonomic nervous system

an automatic system of communication that controls glands in the muscles of internal organs (ex: heart beating weather we are awake or asleep)

Central nervous system

the portion of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord (acts as the command center for the body, while the brain constantly interpreting the signals it receives and directing the body’s reactions) 

Nervous system

the body system responsible for controlling and coordinating all of the activities of the body

What is the peripheral nervous system composed of?

nerves that instigate communication and the somatic and autonomic nervous systems

Nerves

cordlike bundles of neuron fibers that connect the brain and spinal cord with muscles, glands, and sense organs

What do nerves do?

carry sensory and motor impulses

What is the difference between sensory and motor impulses?

Sensory impulses: Messages that travel from the internal/external environment to the spinal cord and brain

Motor impulses: Messages that travel from the spinal cord and brain to the body

What is the somatic nervous system made up of?

nerves that connect to skeletal muscles and to sensory receptors

What kind of body functions does the autonomic nervous system control?

body functions that do not require thought (heart rate, digestion, perspiration)

What two nervous systems is the autonomic nervous system made up of?

the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

Describe the sympathetic nervous system and what it does to the body

arouses the body and expands energy

• “Fight or flight”

• Pupils dilate

• Heartbeat increases

• Digestion slows

• Perspiration increases

Describe the parasympathetic nervous system and what it does to the body

calms the body and conserves energy

• “Rest and digest”

• Pupils contract

• Heartbeat slows

• Blood pressure decreases

• Digestion is stimulated

What are the two components of the central nervous system?

the brain and the spinal cord

What is the brain? How many neurons does it have? What does it do (name examples)?

The control center of the body, located in the skull

Contains 100 billion neurons

Complex organ that enables people to complete many actions and processes

• Ex: think, talk, comprehend, remember, and move

Where is the spinal cord? What does it do? How?

Runs down the back from the base of the brain and ends just below the waist level

Links the brain to the rest of the body through the peripheral nervous system

Packed with nerves that carry commands between the peripheral nerves and the brain

What is the meninges?

3 layers of protective tissue that are wrapped around the brain and spinal cord

What is found between the layers of the meninges?

Spinal fluid

What is spinal fluid? What is its purpose?

Fluid that nourishes and protects the nerve tissues of the brain and spinal cord

Acts as a shock absorber

What is the difference in the function between the brain and the spinal cord?

The brain: Provides the interpretive power that dictates how we behave

The spinal cord: Merges simple responses to stimuli and sends information to the brain